Which is why when you run out of ink, it's cheaper to buy a new printer than buy a new ink cartridge

That's what I do. Since a print cartridge usualy lasts me about a year (I use work for most of my printing needs!) I just pick up a loss leader HP or Brother on a black friday sale, and then sell the old printer sans ink for 25 bucks on craigslist. This process has worked quite well over the past few years.

Noticeably F.A.T.:Why the hell is an off duty (heh, duty) cop cruising around with spike strips?

Came here to say this. Maybe he drives an unmarked car and takes it home with him? Otherwise, now his need to always be prepared for everything has been confirmed in the biggest way possible. Any time anyone (or that voice in his head) says "do you really need that?" his response is going to be "fark yeah! This'll make me a hero someday again"!